Rockland eyes historic preservation ordinance

The Rockland City Council is considering a historic preservation ordinance, with plans for a first reading of an amended version in November, the Pen Bay Pilot reported.

The measure, introduced by Rockland Historical Society curator Ann Morris, aims to preserve and protect historic buildings and structures in the midcoast city.

It would also create a historic preservation commission appointed by the mayor whose duties would include publishing a historic preservation design manual to guide the commission and property owners when reviewing proposed alterations, additions or demolition of local landmarks or for buildings within local historic districts and proposed new construction within a local historic district. The commission would also nominate buildings, structures, sites or districts to the National Register of Historic Places.

Rockland sites already listed on the on the National Register of Historic Places include the Rockland Residential Historic District, the Rockland Main Street Historic District, the Rockland Breakwater and Breakwater Lighthouse, and numerous others.